The Challenge
Manheim Township School District needed to improve the existing Bucher Elementary School to create a twenty-first century learning environment. These improvements included an expansion of the school, new athletic fields, additional paved walkways, and parking areas. The School District wanted a cost-effective project but also wanted to pursue LEED Silver level certification, which would ensure that the school was healthy for students, teachers, and the environment. |
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Our Answer
RETTEW worked with the project architect to perform a Phase I environmental site assessment—a requirement for LEED-certified projects. We also designed a landscape plan with native plant species, which provides habitat for native wildlife and decreases the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance. RETTEW also developed a sustainable stormwater management system, which was underground to maximize open space on the site and included a rainwater harvesting/reuse system. In addition, we prepared a comparison of concrete, stone, and plastic media storage facilities to determine the most feasible and cost-effective design for the School District. RETTEW incorporated sustainable and/or alternative design elements into the elementary school’s overall site design, which we anticipate will be recognized by the U.S Green Building Councils - LEED for Schools for New Construction and Major Renovations.
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